PROCESS BOOK
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN ADRIAN KARAAN AKARAAN@CCA.EDU (707)315-3600
PROPRYO
E X O T R A IN E R by
A d ria n
Karaan
CONFIDENCE TO PLAY|THESIS Designing a minimalist cross training shoe that will enhance the capabilities of an athlete to withstand the physical and mental pressure in today’s playing field.
THEORY
Athletic Development Athletes today are bigger, faster, stronger, and intimidating (good trash talkers), which may be discouraging to athletes who lack the latest and greatest resources. A balance of athleticism and confidence is the key to moral victory.
THE FEET
The Foundation for Athletic Development
All sports start on the feet; however, attention to training the foot are not emphasized within the training sphere. The feet is your connection to the ground; it is how you become aware of your environment, and it is how you react to action.
NICK CURSON SPEED OF SPORT
“The feet are the most neglected training aspect of an athlete’s arsenal” “any exercises that improves the feet and hips is going to improve your speed and coordination”
“IF THE ROOTS ARE STR
RONG, SO GROWS THE TREE”
-Nick Curson, Speed of Sport
brain
relative sensory
refined motorskills
progressive performance
PROPRIOCEPTION
The Subconscious Athlete Within our muscles, skin, ligaments, etc., there are receptors that are wired to our nervous system. These receptors send information to our brain which gives us a sense of our relative position when in motion. Conditioning these receptors make us perform subconsciously; we can be wired to react on an instance rather than a thought. It is advised to train barefoot to understand our relative position, but in certain training scenarios, shoes are approppriate to provide protection for rougher terrain and complex movement.
Variation
Shorter Seasons
Design
MICRO TRENDS
Manufacturing
In-Market Sentiments SKU explosion; dramatically expanded the amount of pairs per closet. (e.g. customers buys shoes for specific purposes as opposed to one ‘all purpose’ shoe.
MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING
COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL
With the utilization of innovated systems such as 3dp and CNC, the sportswear industry became agile; designs that are based on very short cycle times. With these new processes, sportswear materials became more ballistic and calculated. CNC knitting is a process of producing textiles through computer numerical control. Producing textiles in this manner allows for manipulative designs at a precise level. The difference between this other CNC processes is that it is an additive system, which is ideal for reducing waste from traditional cut and sew methods.
ON THE MARKET INSPIRATION
TINKER
ANATOMY
JORDAN XIX
In-market sentiments caused a boom in footwear. However, most shoes are made to cast the foot, emphasize on comfort, and compensate for abilities that withstand our own physicality. Shoes should only provide protection to support individual capability and development. There are many products and systems that have ideal aspects and foundations which ultimately inspired my design principle.
KOBE IX
KOBE V
skin-like DESIGN
anatomical minimal midsole
LEBRON 15
one piece
TREES
MUSHROOMS
streamlined
zero drop
midfoot torsion
GOLDEN ERA
PRINCIPLES
SOLDIER 11
reticular straps
toe splay
CONSTRUCTION TRIAL AND ERROR
It took a number of weeks to find the right cut pattern to prototype a one-piece construction. Through trial and error, I found that committing to a design construction will smooth out many errors. However, not committing will open for redesigns and reconstruction. It was a bittersweet process where I wanted to construct a piece, but I also wanted to redesign.
PROPRYO|EXOTRAINER The Exotrainer is a minimalist training shoe designed to enhance individual capability and development. Built through the process of CNC, the Exotrainer’s one piece upper is constructed with polyester and PET monofilament yarns to allow freedom in certain areas and mild support in others. The adjustment system, inspired by the reticular fibers within our ankles, comprises of elastic bands that allow for individual fit. The EVA minimalist midsole features a zero drop proprioceptive footbed to allow a more natural posture for the user, while only creating 10mm of interference from the ground to the insole. The TPU outsole is inspired by the papillary ridges found on our hands and feet, to provide enhanced natural traction.
RETICULAR STRAPS
EVA MIDSOLE
FLEX WEAVE
PULL TABS
MILD SUPPORT
FUSED RIPSTOP
TPU OUTSOLE
PAPILLARY TRACTION
FLEX GROOVES